By Linus Aleke
The Military High Command has revealed that the troops of Operation Delta Safe intercepted and recovered no fewer than eleven million five hundred and thirty-two thousand (11,532, 000), litres of crude oil, from oil thieves in the creeks of Niger Delta, in the past three weeks.

It also, noted that another twelve million, five hundred and thirty-nine thousand, six hundred and five (12, 539, 605), litres of AGO were also recovered from the economic saboteurs in the same areas by the same troops, within the period under review.

Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko, said this on Thursday in Abuja during the routine bi-weekly briefing on the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s operational activities.

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Noting that the Thursday briefing covered a summary of military operational activities between 7 – 28 April 2022, General Onyeuko said that all recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

He said troops in Operation Delta Safe theatre have continued to clamp down on the activities of oil thieves and other criminal elements in the Area of Operation (AOR) such as; Egwa, Opumami, Zion Creeks in Warri North Local Government Area, Okpoko Water Ways, Edjeba Community, Bennett Island in Warri South Local Government Area, Asugbo in Warri Local Government Area, Yeye Creek in Burutu Local Government, Emohua and Warri South Local Government Area of Rivas, Umudaike in Oshimili South Ole in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Other location he said include; Awoba in Degema Local Government Area, Embikri Ifoko in Asari Toru Local Government Area of River State.

He said: “Within the period under reviewed, own troops discovered several illegal refining sites with 133 ovens, 194 metal tanks storages, 127 dugout pits, 5 wooden boats, 12 receivers, 2 ovens, 2 engines, 2 pumping machines, 1 oxygen cylinder, 1 motorcycle, 1 jetta vehicle, 4,000 polythene bags of illegal refined black oil and 5 trucks. Cumulatively, Seven Million Seven Hundred and Thirty-Two Thousand (7,732,000) litres of crude oil and Ten Million and Eight Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand Six Hundred and five (10,821,605) litres of AGO was recovered”.

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The spokesperson further disclosed that troop of Operation Dakatar Da Barawo conducted similar operations in Asugbo, Egwa, Lelema, Jones creeks in Delta State.

Other operational activities according to him were conducted by NNS Lugard at location off Akili Ozizor community in Ogbaru Local Government Area Anambra State, NNS Victory at Habour road in the city of Calabar, while NNS Soroh conducted operational activities within Ereweibio creek in Brass Local Government Area, Otuokpot area along Kolo creek, Ogbia waterside Saint Nicholas Axis from Akasa area of Bayelsa State respectfully.

“During the operation troops discovered and destroyed several illegal refining sites, 145 ovens, 201 storage metal tanks, 9 pumping machines, 1 Yamaha 40HP outboard engines, 55 dugout pits, 58 drums of AGO, 2 wooden boats, 100 polythene bags illegally refined AGO, I tanker loaded with illegal refined AGO. Cumulatively, within the week under review a total of One Million Seven Hundred and Eighteen Thousand (1,718,000) litres of AGO, Three Million Eight Hundred (3,800,000) litres of crude oil, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand (350,000) litres of sludge, Twenty Thousand (20,000) litres of PMS and One Hundred Thousand (100,000) litres of DPK,” General Onyeuko said.

He concluded that all arrested criminals and recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further actions.